Catheter-related infection (CRI) is considered as a cause of increased Hospital morbidity but its influence on Hospital mortality remains a matter of debate. In critically ill patients, baseline severity, underlying conditions and various confounding factors may explain the observed increased mortality rather than CRI itself. In order to determine the influence of CRI on Hospital mortality in ICU, all episodes of nosocomial septicaemia were reviewed.

Material and methods:

Retrospective analysis of all nosocomial septicaemia occurring over a 7-year period in a teaching Hospital. Septicaemia episodes were separated in secondary, primary and proven catheter-related bloodstream infections. Baseline severity (SAPS score), delay between admission and infection, and Hospital mortality were determined.

Conclusions:

In this study, Hospital mortality in Critically Ill patients developing CRI was high but seemed to be primarily determined by baseline severity and underlying conditions as reflected by SAPS score and prolonged delay between ICU admission and septicaemia.